Badminton became an official Olympic sport in 1992.
The sport made its full Olympic debut at the Barcelona Games. Four events were contested: men's singles, women's singles, men's doubles, and women's doubles. Mixed doubles was added at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, creating the five-event Olympic program used thereafter.
Badminton had appeared at earlier Olympics in a demonstration capacity, including Munich in 1972 and Seoul in 1988. Demonstration appearances allowed sports to be showcased without giving them the full medal-sport status of the official program. This distinction is why 1992, rather than 1972 or 1988, is the key year for Olympic badminton.
Since Barcelona, Olympic badminton has become one of the sport's most important stages. Asian nations have traditionally been especially successful, while Denmark and other European countries have also produced champions. The Olympic competition is administered under BWF rules.